Laundry machine



Jan. 19, 1932. L B |RBY 1,842,030

LAUNDRY HACHINB Filed Dec. 6. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 LAUNDRY IACHINE Filed Dec. 6. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a i; f! if# 4 :I3 "5 l James B. [7%.4 L f4. Inventur l H6 H0 Y 6. Attorneys Jan. 19, 1932. J. B. KIRBY 1,842,030

LAUNDRY CHINE Filed nec. e. 1927 4 sheets-'sheet s fag-8 James BQ Kirby Invent-or QM um Attorneys Jan. 19, 1932. J. B. KIRBY LAUNDRY MACHINE flfqld--. 000.00000vf` o o O O o o o o o o 06 o od o o o o o o o o o ob o o o 04m o o o o o o o o AM: oo o d, o o o o o o o o\u:o o o ooo Qybfo oo ob oo o o/,o Wad o o o o 0,6 o o o o \Q\o o o o o DOQO 00 PDO 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 6. 1927 Jnas B. Kirby Inventor .Attorneys Patented Jan. 19, 1932 PATENT OFFICE JAMES B. IIBBY, 0F WEST BICHI'IELD, OHIO LAUNDRY Y MACHINE lAmilicatimi med December 6, 1927. Serial No. 288,035.

This invention relates to laundry machines, especially that type of machine wherein are combined a washing device and an extractin device separate 'from the washing device alt ough included in the same structure. The main objects of the present invention are the provision of a machine of this nature which shall be particularly light, simple, and free from dirt-collecting crannies, while possessing a large work-performing capacity; the provision of a machine of t is type of 'improved structure whereby its weight and cost are decreased and its r1 idity and cleanliness enhanced' while furt er objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

This ap lication is a continuation in part of each o my prior applications Serial No. 188,332, filed May 2, 1927; and Serial No. 195,091, filed May 28, 1927; and certain features disclosed herein are reserved for claims in my applications Serial No. 694,899, filed February 25, 1924; Serial No. 114,191, filed June 7 192; Serial No. 174,208, filed March 10, 1927; Serial No. 176,909, filed March 21, 1927; Serial No. 238,036, filed December 6, 1927; Serial No. 257,283, filed February 27, 1923; and Serial No. 358,027, filed April 25, 192

In the drawings accompanying this specilication and forming a part of this application I have shown for urposes of illustration certain specimen orms which my invention may assume. In these drawings: Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of a washing machine of approved type containing my improvements- Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine s own in Fig. 1, certain parts Y being shown in section and the extractorcover opened; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, central, vertical section through said machine;

elevation of a modified form of washing machine including certain of my improvements; Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to the broken line 9-9 of Fig. 7; Fi 10 is a horizontal sectional view corresponding to the line 10-10 of Fig. 9; Figs. 11 and 12 are horizontal sectional views illustrating other modied forms of construction of washing machine embodying my improvements The embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive comprises a washing compartment A and an extractor compartment B having their lateral walls formed by three sheet-metal, lateral, wall-sections, namely: a vertical sheet-metal section 21 subtending more than 180; a vertical sheetmetal wall-section 22 subtending 180 of a cylinder of a smaller size and havin straight sides 23--23 extendin tangential y therefrom to a junction wit the ends of the wall 21; and a vertical sheet-metal partition or common section 24 secured to the two first member at their common intersection. The Walls 21 and 24 thus define an upwardly-opening washing-compartment A, and the sections ,22--23-24 define an upwardly-opening extractor-compartment B. While many forms of securing the edges of these walls may be employed my preference is to terminate the wall 21 at eac end in an outturned abrupt flange 25 (see Fig. 5) lying close against one face of the partition 24, both flange and partion being then embraced by the reversally rolled channel 26 which terminates each of the portions 23, the parts being tightly pressed and soldered together. The bottom of both compartments is shown in Fi 3 as made of a single piece of sheet-metal 2 suit- Y ably seamed to the vertical walls and having a depressed channel 28 receiving the lower ed e of the partition 24 as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. This partition, when made flat, is preferably formed with a plurality of spaced horizontal corrugations pressed or rolled therein as shown at 29 to stillen the same.

The tub structure thus formed is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as mounted upon a suitable castmetal base-plate 30 stiiened by a depending marginal flange 31 and supported on suitable legs 32 attached by bolts. The fold produced in the metal-bottom 27 by the formation of the channel groove 28 is received in a recess 323 provided therefor. To the upper margin of the sheet-metal Walls is secured a castmetal top 35 having depending flanges S6-3T and surrounded by an npturned lip 38 which both stiil'ens the same and constitutes an anti-splashing guard. Formed within the area confined within this lip are two major openings, one a circular opening 39 for the compartment A adapted to receive the sheetmetal cover 40, the other an aperture 41 for the compartment B adapted to be closed by means of a second cover 42 hinged to the top 35 on a. horizontal axis 43 at the side most distant from the hole 39.

In cases like that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the diameter of the compartment B is smaller than that of the compartment- A, both the bottom 30 and the top 35 exhibit substantially the outline of a round-cornered triangle, one of the supporting legs being 1ocated near each vertex, and the axis 43 of the cover 42 being arranged transversely across one vertex. The two sides of the cover 42 are flared from the pivot point so as to tit inside the lip 355-38 when the cover is in ciosed position as shown in Fig. 1, and are also formed with marginal flanges 44 which are concealed under those conditions; while the front end of the cover has a lip 45 rolled in the opposite direction so as to enable it to overlap the rim of a sink or set-tub when the cover is open, at which time the same constitutes a kind of drain-board and chute by means of which wet clothes can be transferred from one recepacle to another without wetting the floor. This cover can be approached to a sink or tub located either lower or higher than the edge of the machine, the same slanting upwardly or downwardly as shown by the dotted lines at the ri rht of F ig. 3 according as to wheher the sin t or tub is higher or lower than the hinge. To limit the movement of this cover I preferably provide a set-screw 46 carried by an ear 47 formed on the to plate so as to enable this cover to form a kind of shelf if desired, and also to keep it out of rubbing engagement with such sink or tub with which it may be used. I have shown this cover as terminated at a safticicnt distance from the ivot1 43 to define with the adjacent edge o the opening 41 a narrow space 48 adapted to enable the introduction of a hose 49 as shown in Fig. 3 for rinsing purposes, while shielding the operator from bodilyr injury.

The compartment A is employed for clothes washing purposes and to this end is provided with any suitable or desired type of clothes-agitating means here represented generally as an oscillatable vaned dasher 50 carried by a vertical rock-shaft 51 journaled in a vertical water-tight bearing 52 secured in the bottom 27 and operated by suitable mechanism (not shown) contained in a housing 53 secured to the bottom of the frame 30 and driven by a suitable motor 54.

The compartment B is employed for extracting purposes and to this end is provided with an upright, rotatable container of any suitable or desired form, here indicated generally by 55 and carried by the upper end of a vertical shaft 5G journaled in a suitable bearing 57 also secured to the frame 30 and projecting upwardly through the bottom 2T. Suitable driving devices are also provided benea'lh the frame, boing here represented by cooperating friction members 58 carried one by the shaft 5U and the other by a shaft 59 operatively connected to the motor 54. The bearings 5:2 and 5T are here formed as externally threaded sleeves screwed into suitable bosses carried by the plate 3() and receiving lock nuts (l0 (and packing washers not shown) whereby leakage i's prevented and, in addition, the cas-ting is held to the plate 30, the channel or fold 28 further tending to stiften and position the same. Additional anchors can, however, be employed. The Word plate has been adopted for the top member 38 and bottom member 30, chiefly to suggest the one-piece and one plane idea, but in practice each is made with such largeopenings as to be little more than a framework and the word is hence used broadly.

The bottoms of the two compartments are provided with outlets 61, 62 respectively controlled by suitable valves and also preferably connected to a suitable pump as hereinafter described. Also the partition 24 is preferably formed with overflow openings 63 deining a liquid lcyel (i4 in the washing compartment. These overflow' openings perform the double function of defining that liquid level at which the washing devices operate most` effectively, and of facilitating the expulsion of floating scum from the washing liquid prior to removing the clothes therefrom.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive the casing is shown as made with upright Wall'members of sheet-metal TO and a bottom sheet or sheets 73 the latter resting on a fiat-topped plate 30 supported by legs 32. Threaded in bosses 74--74 in each bottom plate are vertical cylindrical sleeves 75-75 whose upper ends rise into the chambers C and D through suitable holes sealed by packed nuts 'f6-76 which also constitute lock-nuts for the sleeves and besides anchor the casing to the plate 30a. Secured to the upper edge of the wall is a top plate 78 having a depending fiange 79 which closely embraces the wall 70, and formed with two circulaiholes 80, one for each compartment. I have also shown the top plate as surrounded by an npturned flange 81.

Inside the compartments C and D are two containers 82-82, made with perforated side walls, and having agitating vanes 83 inside the same. I have here shown these as exactly alike so that either washing or extracting can be performed either simultaneously or selectively in the two compartments. The upper end of each of these containers terminates in a rim 84. Communicating with the bottoms of compartmentsC and D are the drains 6l;L and 02"i respectively.

Pivoted to the top plate 78 upon horizontal axes adjacent to the rear of the machine are a pair of circular lids 86-86, one for each of the holes 80. Each of these lids is formed with a central axial hollow boss 87 in which is journalcd the hollow rotatable hub 88 of a circular cover plate 89 whose outer rim is formed with a depending circular fiange 90 adapted to engage tightly the rim 84 of the corresponding container. A suitable bearing sleeve 91 of anti-friction metal is preferably employed between the hub and boss and the center of the hub is apertured as at 92 for the reception of a hose 49 whereby rinse water or washing liquid can be introduced into the machine while running as well as when at rest. Preferably the flange 90 overlaps the outside of the rim 84 so that any metal displaced by wear may not soil the clothing as it is being removed after washing.

While it is obvious that a great many different kinds of operating mechanism could be used, I have for purposes of convenience illustrated herein a simple and convenient type of driving gearing shown in Figs. 9 and 10. An electric motor 54 is supported with its shaft 95 horizontal' and having thereon three spiral gears 96, 97, and 98. Meshing with the gears 96 and 97 are spiral gears 99 and 100 respectivelyT journaled on the exterior of the `sleeves 7 5 with which rotate the clutch elements 101-101. Journalefl in the sleeve 7 5-75 are vertical shafts 102-102 to the upper ends of which are tightly secured the containers 82-82, the lower ends of these shafts being mounted on thrust bearings 103-103. J ournaled to the 'supporting frame between these shafts is a double segmental rack 104 connected by a pitman 105 to a worm gear 106 which meshes with the spiral gear 98. Slidably splined on each of the shafts 102 is a4 pinion 107 which when lowered meshes with the rack 104 so as to cause the corresponding shaft 102 to oscillate; and

ing through a suitable hole in the top late where it is provided with an operating andle 112. Carried by the plate 30 is also, preferably, a centrifugal pump 113, suitably connected to the motor in driven relation and to the valve casing 110 in controlled relation. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 4 the inlet 115 of the pump is at all times connected with the drain 62, while the pump outlet 116 is connected to the valve casing 110, the latter being formed with a nipple 117'for the reception of ,the hose 118 by means of which the liquid can be discharged wherever desired. In the form shown in Fic. 9 the drains 61 and G2 are connected to the valve casing, which in turn is connected by a conduit 120 with the inlet of the pump, the outlet of'which is connected directly to the dis- `charge hose 118.

In Figs. 1 and 4 I have also shown additional controlling devices for the mechanism located in the opposite exterior angle between the side walls of the compartments, the same comprising a rock shaft 121, an operating handle 122 therefor, and an electric switch 123, the electric connections for which depend through the shaft 121 which is made hollow forrthe purpose.

In Fig. 12 I have shown another modification wherein one of the compartments is made as a complete surface of revolution (circular or frusto conical as the case may be) the other compartment having a wall which also conforms to a surface of revolution intersecting the first surface at separated points so that the common partition wall conforms to the first named surface of revolution and is located inside the circle defined by the wall of the other compartment. In the particular construction shown the wall 1 of the smaller compartment ismade ofa single piece of sheet metal seamed vertically at 2 while the sheet metal wall 3 of the second compartment is lioined to the wall 1 by suitable braces 4 4. Inside the former compartment I have indicated an extractor container 5 and inside the other compartment I have indicated a washing device comprising bells or pounders 6.

I have shown the centrifuge driving mechanism as controlled by a lever 125 operated by a cam 126 on the rod 127 having at its upper end the lever arm 128 which overlaps the cover 42 when the centrifuge is running so as to prevent opening the same. and is interlocked with that cover by suitable means such as a projection 129 whensaid cover is open so as to prevent starting such centrifuge.

During 'the operation of the centrifuge the water extracted thereby can either by discharged to a waste place as shown in Fig. 4,

'or returned to the compartment A. Toward the end of the washing o ration a few dipperfuls of water are ad ed to the washing compartment so that the scum, broken up by the action of the agitator, is floated away through the openingsl 63 and discharged by way of the pump and hose.

I have chosen widely dissimilar` structures as illustrative embodiments of my inventive idea to demonstrate that I do not limit myself to an y narrow interpretation thereof since many changes are intended to be comprehended within my various claims which I request may he construed each independently of limitations contained in other claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is l. In a laundry machine, casing-walls defining a pair of compartments of unequal size located side by side. the larger having its outside wall conforming to a surface of revolution` a pair of vertically spared horizontal plates embracing said compartments above and below. one at least of said plates being narrower at that end which is adjacent the smaller compartment, the top plate having apertures for said compartments, and covers for said apertures` the rover for the smaller aperture being pivoted on the side which is away from the larger opening.

In a laundry machine, casing-walls defining two compartments of unequal size and a top plate overlying the same, said plate having an outer upstanding ridge and two openings registering with said compartments, the width oi' the top plate being dilierent at ditferent points and narrowest across the smaller compartment and the ledge inside said ridge being slanted toward said openings.

3. In a laundry machine, two vertically spaced horizontal plates, legs fastened to one of said plates, the upper plate having a plurality of openings therein, sheet metal means located between said plates and defining separate compartments with which said openings register, the upper of said plates having a marginal ridge to shed water inwardly, and :1 cover for one of said compartments hinged to the top plate on a horizontal axis so located relative to said ridge that a part of said cover shall project across said ridge when said cover is open, said cover being larger than its openings so as when closed to overlap` the ledge between said ridge and opening.

4. In a laundry machine, two vertically spaced horizontal plates, legs fastened to one of said plates, the upper plate having a plurality of openings therein and an upwardlyprojecting rib surrounding said openings and spaced therefrom to define a ledge-portion, sheet metal means located between said plates and defining separate compartments with which said openings register and separate covers for said openings, one at least of said covers being hinged to the top plate upon a horizontal axis located at the side of its opening which is furthest from the other opening, said cover being larger than its opening so as to overlap said ledge when closed, and having adjacent to its hinged margin a projecting lip which, when the cover is open, depends inside said rib.

5. In a laundry machine, two vertically spaced horizontal plates, legs fastened to one of said plates, the upper plate having a plurality of openings therein otI unequal size, sheet metal means located between said plates and defining compartments of unequal size with which said openings communicate, a quadrilateral drain-board hinged to the top plate on a horizontal axis at one side of the smaller opening, and a separate cover for the larger opening, said drain-board when folded inwardly overlying the smaller opening.

(3. In a laundry machine, casing-walls defining two compartments therein, a single top-plate overlying both compartments and having openings therein, one for each compartment, said top-plate also having an inwardly slanting ledge surrounding each opening to shed liquid inwardly and a cover for one of said compartments pivoted to said top-plate upon a horizontal axis along one of its margins at one side' of its compartment and constituting a drain-board when opened, said cover being larger than its opening and being folded above said ledge and inside the outer margin of said top-plate when closed.

7. In a laundry machine, casing-walls coinprising two compartments of unequal size located side by side, a top plate having two openings therein, one for each compartment, and a marginal rim surrounding both openings and defining ledges about said openings, and a multilateral cover for the smaller compartment having one of its sides hinged to the upper face of said top plate inside said rim on a horizontal axis at one side of the opening with which it is associated, said cover being larger than the opening with which it. is associated and having the two margins adjacent to its hinged margin formed with iianges which are folded inside said rim and are concealed thereby when the cover is closed.

8. In a laundry machine, horizontal top and bottom plates vertically spaced and sheetmetal side-Wall members interposed between them and forming two separate compartments, each compartment having at least a art of its side wall conforming to a surface otP revolution, and said top plate having independent apertures registering with said compartments, and supporting legs secured to one of ,said plates, the bottom plate having upon opposite sides continuous marginal portions which are inclined obliquely to each other in the horizontal plane, and the ends of said bottom plate having arcuate portions substantially concentric with the arcuate portions of said side wall and to which said straight margins are tangent.

9. A laundry machine casing comprising substantially upright wall portions, different portions of which conform to two surfaces oi revolution of dierent radii formed about two vertical axes and defining two separate compartments, a sin le to plate en aging said wall portions an over app'mg bot compartments and having separate openings communicating therewith, and covers for said compartments, each of said openings being surrounded by an inwardly slopin ledge which overhangs the compartment an forms a seat for a cover, one of said covers being larger than its opening and hinged above the surrounding ledge.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature.

JAMES B. KIRBY.

substantially upright wall portions, different portions of wblch conform to two surfaces oi revolution of different radii formed about two vertical axes and defining two separate compartments, a sin le to plate en aging said wall portions an over apping bot compartments and having separate openings communicating therewith, and covers for said compartments, each of said openings being surrounded by an inwardly slopin edge which overhangs the compartment ang forms a seat for a cover, one of said covers being larger than its opening and hinged above the surrounding ledge.

LAUNDRY Mac-amm. Patent dated January 19, 1932. Disclaimer filed February 2, 1939, by the assignee Industrial Improvements Incorporated, and the trustee, The Apex Electric In testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature.

. JAMES B. KIRBY.

DI S O I AI M E R 1,842,030.James B.. Kirby, West Richfield, Ohio.

Manufacturing Company.. Hereb disclaim claim 8 from the specification of said patent.

[ ficial Gazette February 21, 1939.]

DISCLAIMER 1,842,030.-Jams B. Kirby, West. Richfield, Ohio. LAUNnRY MAcBnE. Patent dated January 19, 1932. Disclaimer filed February 2, 1939, by the assignee Industrial Improvements Incorporated, and the trustee, The Apex Electrioa 'Manufacturing Company. Hereb disclaim claim 8 from the specification of said patent.

[Jcial Gazette February 21, 1939.] 

